Christmas in Greece

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Christmas in Greece
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• In our country, just like all over the Christian
  world, Christmas is a very special day.
  Nevertheless the days after, till the 7th of
  January, are days of celebrations and relax.
• Schools close on 23rd of December. Houses and
  streets are already decorated. Children of the
  age of 6-14 years old have already found the
  members of each small group that the next day,
  eve of Christmas, early in the morning, will sing
  a special song (carols) outside of every house.
  Every housewife will offer them, mostly, money
  and perhaps some candies.

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At midnight

• At midnight, everybody stays at home with his
  family or visits another family, where several
  persons are gathered. A rich dinner waits for all
  guests Stuffed turkey, pork or lamb with
  potatoes baked in the oven, spinach pie or cheese
  pie, salads, many sorts of cheese and good wine.

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The desserts Kataifi
,baklava, melomakarona, kourabiedes
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• Next morning, the Christmas Liturgy begins at 5
  oclock and it last 3 hours. The family gathers
  once more for a light breakfast, so that some
  space of the stomach is left to receive the
  supper (similar to the last nights dinner).
  During the following days, we try to get rid of
  the leftovers of the previous rich meals.

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The new year is coming

• On the eve of the first January, the children
  sing, once more, carols out of each house,
  increasing their pocket-money. At night all
  friends go to ones house to play cards.
  Sometimes they do not play for money, but just
  for the good luck. There is a rich dinner once
  more. Exactly on midnight, we switch off the
  lights. When we turn them on, everybody kisses
  each other and we exchange wishes and gifts. Here
  comes the time to cut into pieces a special cake,
  called vassilopita, that is the pie of Santa
  Claus. The lucky person finds in his piece a coin
  hidden in the cake. Children also look for their
  gifts under the Christmas tree. That day, liturgy
  begins at 8 oclock and ends at 10.30.
• All those days are really tiresome for the
  housewives. They have to cook all the time, and
  this duty weather it is pleasant or not, it is
  fattening as well.

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Sharing the vassilopitta
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Enjoy yourselves!
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The Baptism of Christ

• Some days later, on 6th of January we celebrate
  The Baptism of Christ. The previous day we should
  not eat meat or fish, milky products and eggs, so
  that we can drink some Holy Water, good for the
  health of the soul and the body. It is a very
  spectacular celebration that we do near the sea
  or a river or a lake, while the boats whiz and
  pigeons are left to fly in the air, reminding the
  Holy Ghost. It is the day during which all seas
  surrounding Greece are sacred, in order to be
  calm in favor of our seamen.
• In the end of this celebration the priests throw
  the Holy Cross into the sea and some brave young
  men swim to find it. It is a great honor and
  blessing for the person that can find it.

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A spectacular celebration
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Best wishes for Merry Christmas and A Happy New
Year